BJ Watling will succeed Luke Ronchi as the Black Caps’ batting coach starting in early December 2026, according to New Zealand Cricket. After the conclusion of the Test series against India, Ronchi ended a six-year relationship with New Zealand by accepting an offer to become head coach of the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.
On November 16, 2026, Watling, 41, will join the Black Caps support staff. He will work alongside Ronchi during a handover period before officially taking over when the team leaves for a four-Test series in Australia. Since taking over for Peter Fulton as batting coach in 2020, Luke Ronchi has been in that role. I’m really thrilled. It is a unique opportunity to rejoin the team and collaborate with this current group, and I don’t take it lightly. “I’m looking forward to contributing to a world-class side because of what this side and the support staff have accomplished together over the past few years,” Watling stated, as reported by The New Zealand Herald.
What is BJ Watling’s contribution to the Black Caps batting unit?
BJ Watling left international cricket after New Zealand won the 2021 World Test Championship final. He appeared in 75 Test matches and scored 3,790 runs at an average of 37.52 while playing for the Black Caps 108 times in all formats. Interestingly, all eight of his Test hundreds came in victories for New Zealand.
His first-class record is just as impressive. Watling reached three figures eighteen times and amassed over 10,000 runs in 178 appearances. In 2015, he and Kane Williamson shared the world record sixth-wicket partnership of 365 runs against Sri Lanka.
BJ Watling transitioned into domestic coaching after retiring. He started out with Wellington before moving to Northern Districts, where he guided the team to Super Smash glory in 2026 and the Plunket Shield in 2025. Prior to this appointment, his case for a national role was strengthened by those consecutive domestic honours.
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Tom Latham, the captain of the New Zealand Test team, publicly supported the appointment. Watling’s depth of experience at the highest level makes him a good fit for this particular group, as Latham noted that only one member of the Black Caps’ preferred Test top six is under 30.Having someone like BJ return to the group would be fantastic for our environment because he embodied what it means to be a Black Cap. Every time he took the pitch, there was no question about his effort and tenacity, and I have no doubt that the same mindset will permeate his coaching style’, Latham remarked.
